Modular Beverage Container

ABSTRACT

A modular beverage container includes a lower portion having a closed bottom and upstanding side wall that defines an interior area and open top. The beverage container includes an upper portion having a side wall defining an interior area and open bottom. The upper portion includes a spout extending through a closed upper section. The upper and lower portions include fasteners having complementary configurations so that upper and lower portions are selectively coupled together. The beverage container includes a divider member selectively coupled intermediate upper and lower portions. The divider member includes an annular rim and a center section with rim fasteners being situated on opposed sides of the rim and having configurations complementary to the fasteners of upper and lower portions, respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to beverage containers and, more particularly, toa modular beverage container that is separable for cleaning and includesmodular accessories for selectively dividing the container into chambersfor use in making specialty beverages.

Bottled water has become very popular in that it is perceived to offerhealthy advantages over municipal or rural water sources. In someinstances, consumers prefer bottled water merely for better taste.Bottled water is typically distributed in disposable plastic bottles.Accordingly, each water bottle is not reusable but rather is discardedas refuse. The overwhelming volume of plastic bottles accumulating inlandfills is difficult to calculate. In addition, it is difficult toreuse a traditional water bottle even if a consumer desires that optionrather than to immediately discard it. The mouth of a traditional waterbottle is too small to receive a cleaning brush, wash cloth, or to beeffectively cleaned in a dishwasher.

Various devices have been proposed for bottles having multiple sections,nested configurations, or that may be disassembled. Although assumablyeffective for their intended purposes, the existing proposals do notprovide a modular beverage container having a quick twist assembly anddisassembly so that the beverage container components may be easilycleaned between uses.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a modular beverage containerthat provides a water bottle that may be quickly disassembled, cleaned,re-assembled in various configurations, and re-used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A modular beverage container according to the present invention includesa lower portion having a closed bottom and upstanding side wall thatdefines an interior area and open top. The beverage container includesan upper portion having a side wall defining an interior area and openbottom. The upper portion includes a spout through a closed uppersection. The upper and lower portions include fasteners havingcomplementary configurations so that upper and lower portions areselectively coupled together. The beverage container includes a dividermember selectively coupled intermediate upper and lower portions. Thedivider member includes an annular rim and a center section, rimfasteners being situated on opposed sides of the rim and havingconfigurations complementary to the fasteners of upper and lowerportions, respectively.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a modularbeverage container having modular components that are separable forcleaning and subsequent re-use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a modular beveragecontainer, as aforesaid, in which components are quickly and easilyseparated or coupled together.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a modular beveragecontainer, as aforesaid, having a dividing member that may be situatedbetween two chamber portions.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a modular beveragecontainer, as aforesaid, that is easy to use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a modular beveragecontainer, as aforesaid, that is cost-effective to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration andexample, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular beverage container accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the container as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the container as in FIG. 1 in usewith a divider member and tubular container member; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the container as in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A modular beverage container according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4of the accompanying drawings. The modular beverage container 10 includesa lower portion 20, an upper portion 40, and a divider member 60selectively coupled together with quick connect fasteners.

The lower portion 20 of the beverage container 10 includes a closedbottom 66 and a continuous side wall 24 extending upwardly therefrom(FIG. 2). The lower portion side wall 24 includes an upper edge 26, theside wall 24 defining a lower portion interior area and an open top.Preferably, the lower portion 20 has a generally cylindricalconfiguration. The lower portion 20 includes at least one lower portionfastener 28 coupled to the upper edge 26 of the lower portion side wall24 although it is preferred to have a plurality of lower portionfasteners 28 spaced apart along the upper edge 26 of the lower portionside wall 24 as will be described in greater detail later.

The upper portion 40 of the beverage container 10 includes a continuousside wall 42 defining an upper portion interior area. The upper portionside wall 42 includes a lower edge 43 defining an open bottom. The upperportion 40 may include a cylindrical section 44 extending upwardly fromthe lower edge 43 and a domed section 46 (also referred to as an uppersection) extending upwardly from the cylindrical section 44. A spout 48is defined by an upper extent of the upper portion 40, i.e. from thedomed section 46, that is in communication with the upper portioninterior area and configured to allow a fluid to flow out therefrom. Theupper portion 40 includes at least one upper portion fastener 50 coupledto the lower edge of the upper portion side wall 42 although it ispreferred to have a plurality of upper portion fasteners 50 spaced apartalong the lower edge 43 of the upper portion side wall 42 as will bedescribed in greater detail later. The fasteners of the upper 40 andlower 20 portions may be coupled to respective side wall edges orintegrally formed thereby.

The divider member 60 includes a rim 62 having a generally annularconfiguration configured to be selectively situated between the upper 40and lower 20 portions and releasably and selectively coupled thereto(FIG. 4). The rim 62 includes top 64 and bottom 66 surfaces. Moreparticularly, the rim 62 includes a rim upper fastener 74 coupled to thetop surface 64 of the rim 62 and includes a rim lower fastener 68coupled to the bottom surface 66 of the rim 62. Preferably, the upper 74and lower 68 fasteners include a plurality of fasteners, respectively,that are spaced apart about the rim 62.

The upper portion fastener 50 or fasteners include a configuration thatis complementary to a configuration of the lower portion fastener 28 orfasteners as well as to the rim upper fastener 74 or fasteners.Similarly, the lower portion fastener 28 or fasteners have aconfiguration complementary to the upper portion fastener 50 orfasteners as well as to the rim lower fastener 68 or fasteners.Accordingly, the divider member 60 may be coupled intermediate the upper40 and lower 20 portions although the upper portion 40 may also bedirectly coupled to the lower portion 20 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

With further reference to the fasteners described above for respectiveupper portion 40, lower portion 20, and divider member 60, it should beunderstood that each fastener includes a substantially similarconstruction so as to enable the fasteners to be coupled to one another.As will become even more clear below, the respective fasteners includeconfigurations that are complementary and engage one another whenrotated relative to one another. Specifically, the upper and lowerportion fasteners 50, 28 are a plurality of ramp members 52, 30,respectively, spaced apart along the upper 26 and lower 43 edges,respectively. Similarly, the rim upper fastener 74 and rim lowerfastener 68 are a plurality of rim ramp members 75, 69 respectively.

Each ramp member includes a first section having a relatively thinconstruction that is displaced from a respective edge or surface (i.e.upper edge 26, lower edge 43, rim top surface 64, rim bottom surface 66)and a second section having a relatively thick construction that isimmediately adjacent a respective edge or surface. As shown, each rampmember is gradually sloped between respective first and second sectionssuch that respective fasteners are gradually tightened when rotatablyengaged together. For instance, respective second sections (thicksection) are received by respective first sections (thin). When rotated,say in a clockwise direction, the respective thick sections are urgedtoward adjacent thick sections, causing a frictional fit tightening.Rotation in an opposite direction causes a loosening of respectivesections. Respective sections are configured such that the fasteners maybe tightened with less than a one-quarter twist/rotation.

In the drawings, the upper portion ramp members are indicated byreference numeral 52 with first section 54 and second section 56. Thelower portion 20 ramp members are indicated by reference numeral 30 withfirst section 32 and second section 34. The rim upper fastener 74includes ramp member 75 with corresponding first section 76 and secondsection 78. The rim lower fastener 68 includes ramp member 69 withcorresponding first section 70 and second section 72.

The divider member 60 described above may include a center section 65having a grate configuration configured to allow liquid to passtherethrough but to not allow solid materials to pass therethrough (FIG.4). For example, a fruit such as a lemon may be inserted into the upperportion 40 which will rest upon the divider. While water in the upperportion 40 would be able to pass into the lower portion 20, the lemonslice would remain on the divider member center section 65. The lowerportion 20 could then be removed and the filtered water consumed. Thismethod may be repeated again and again to filter water through the fruitand grate.

In some embodiments, the center section may have an impermeableconfiguration (not shown) that separates the upper portion interior areafrom the lower portion interior area. In this embodiment, multiplechambers are established in which different items or substances may bestored. For example, a beverage such as water may be stored in the upperportion 40 having a spout 48 while a food item such as crackers may bestored in the lower portion interior area.

In another embodiment, the modular beverage container 10 includes atubular container 80 that extends downwardly from the rim 62 of thedivider member 60. The tubular container 80 includes a closed bottom andside wall and defines an open top. In other embodiments (not shown) thetubular container 80 may include a bottom having a grate configurationsuch that a fruit slice or the like may be situated therein whileallowing water or another beverage to pass into the lower portion 20.

In still other embodiments, the modular beverage container 10 mayinclude a tubular container member 90 that is separate and distinct fromthe divider member 60 (FIG. 4). The tubular container member 90 may beutilized with the other components as an alternative to the dividermember 60 or in addition to it. Accordingly, the tubular containermember 90 includes its own rim and upper/lower fasteners having aconstruction and function substantially similar to the fastenersdescribed above.

The lower portion 20 may include an insulated construction (not shown)configured to inhibit a temperature variation. In some embodiments, themodular beverage container 10 may include an insulated insert (notshown), such as a liner, having a configuration complementary to theinner dimensions of the lower portion 20 so as to be removably situatedin the lower portion interior area. For instance, the insulatedconstruction or insert may enable ice cubes situated in the lowerportion 20 to resist melting.

The modular beverage container 10 includes means for sealing between thelower 20 and upper 40 portions. The sealing means may be rubber O-rings100 or a suitable gasket (FIG. 2). In some embodiments, the sealingmeans may be molded into upper and lower edges 26, 43 of the lower andupper portions 20, 40 respectively. When the divider member 60 ispositioned intermediate the upper 40 and lower 20 portions, additionalsealing means may be included appropriately (FIG. 4).

In use, upper 40 and lower 20 portions of the beverage container 10 maybe coupled together by rotating respective fasteners 50, 28 relative toone another. It is understood that the configurations of respectivefastener ramp sections cause the fasteners to tighten relative to oneanother with less than a quarter of a turn as described above. Thebeverage container 10 may then be filled with a beverage, such as waterthrough the spout 48. A cap (not shown) may be included and closed overthe spout in a traditional manner to prevent unintended spillage. Whenthe beverage has been completely consumed, the beverage container 10 maybe disassembled by simply rotating the portions in a reverse direction.The modular portions may then be washed, such as in a dishwasher, ifdesired. The housing portions are then ready to re-assemble and re-useas desired.

If desired, the divider member 60 may be incorporated into the assemblyof the beverage container 10 in a similar manner. The lower portionfasteners 28 may be appropriately lined up with the rim lower fasteners68 of the divider member 60 and rotated relative to one another. Then,the upper portion fasteners 50 and divider member upper fasteners 74 maybe aligned and engaged by twisting. The beverage container 100 isdisassembled by reversing these steps.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have beenillustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar assuch limitations are included in the following claims and allowablefunctional equivalents thereof.

1. A modular beverage container, comprising: a lower portion having aclosed bottom and a continuous lower portion side wall extendingupwardly therefrom that defines a lower portion interior space area,said lower portion side wall having an upper edge defining a lowerportion open top; an insulation insert removably situated in said lowerportion interior area configured to inhibit a temperature variation; alower portion fastener coupled to said lower portion upper edge; anupper portion having a continuous upper portion side wall that definesan upper portion interior space, said upper portion side wall having alower edge defining an upper portion open bottom; an upper portionfastener coupled to said upper portion lower edge; a spout coupled to anupper section of said upper portion in communication with said upperportion interior space; a divider member selectively coupledintermediate said upper and lower portion, said divider member having agenerally annular rim that includes top and bottom surfaces; whereinsaid divider member includes a center section having a grateconfiguration that generally allows a fluid to pass therethrough butdoes not allow a solid to pass therethrough, said center section havingan impermeable configuration that separates said upper portion interiorarea from said lower portion interior area; a rim upper fastenerconnected to said rim top surface and having a configuration that iscomplementary to a configuration of said upper portion fastener so as tobe selectively coupled thereto; a rim lower fastener connected to saidrim bottom surface and having a configuration that is complementary to aconfiguration of said lower portion fastener so as to be selectivelycoupled thereto; a tubular container member selectively coupledintermediate said upper and lower portions, said tubular containermember having a generally annular rim that includes top and bottomsurfaces and a tubular portion extending downwardly into said lowerportion interior area when said tubular container member is coupledintermediate said upper and lower portions; a tubular container memberrim upper fastener connected to said tubular container member rim topsurface; a tubular container member rim lower fastener connected to saidtubular container member rim bottom surface; wherein: said tubularcontainer member rim upper fastener is complementary to said dividermember rim lower fastener such that said tubular container member isselectively coupled to said divider member; said upper portion fastenerincludes a plurality of upper portion ramp members spaced apart alongsaid upper portion side wall lower edge; said lower portion fastenerincludes a plurality of lower portion ramp members spaced apart alongsaid lower portion side wall upper edge; said rim upper fastenerincludes a plurality of rim upper ramp members spaced apart along saidrim top surface; said rim lower fastener includes a plurality of rimlower ramp members spaced apart along said rim bottom surface; each ofsaid upper portion ramp members, lower portion ramp members, rim upperramp members, and rim lower ramp members include, respectively: a firstsection having a thin configuration; a second section having a thickconfiguration; each respective ramp member is sloped gradually between arespective first section and a respective second section such that saidrespective first section is configured to receive said respective secondsection; and each said respective ramp member is configured to graduallytighten when rotatably engaged with another said respective ramp member.2-7. (canceled)
 8. The modular beverage container as in claim 1, whereinsaid upper portion and said lower portion and said divider member havegenerally cylindrical configurations, respectively. 9-12. (canceled) 13.The modular beverage container as in claim 1, wherein said upper portionside wall includes a cylindrical section extending upwardly from saidlower edge and a domed section coupled to said cylindrical section, saiddomed section defining said spout.
 14. The modular beverage container asin claim 1, further comprising means for sealing said upper portion tosaid divider member and means for sealing said lower portion to saiddivider member. 15-17. (canceled)